For having amazing BBQ parties, you need to have the right tools to serve people delicious food. Pellet smokers add incredible smoke flavor to meat and veggies, and therefore, it is better to have a pellet smoker around for cooking amazing food.
It is believed that these smokers are quite expensive, but that is not the case with all of them. You can actually find a really efficient wood pellet smoker in just under 50 dollars. We have put together a list of the best pellet smokers under $500 in 2021 backed by top brands on the market so that you can find the right grill.
1. PIT BOSS 700FB Pellet Grill
The PIT BOSS 700FB is a heavy-duty pellet smoker grill that is well constructed, offers a long warranty, and bigger space for smoking meat and veggies. All the parts are composed of heavy-duty steel and cast iron, giving it a solid finish. It can cook pretty much everything from brisket to chicken, fish, ribs, etc., making it versatile.
- Massive cooking space
- Useful broiler for searing
- Quick cleanup
- Ideal temperature
In terms of cooking space, the 700FB offers 700 square inches of area. This grill offers the largest cooking area amongst the affordable pellet smokers reviewed in this post. So if you want to host large BBQ parties, this is your best shot. With such a large space, you can cook everything at once and save time.
With a 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range, you can cook various recipes at different temperatures. It has a temperature dial for quickly setting up the temperature. So, like most pellet smokers, it is quite simple and easy to operate.
This smoker grill provides a searing system, which is found lacking in most pellet grills. There is a sliding plate on top of the firebox, so whenever you want to sear meat, just put it on the grates, slide the plate, and let it sear the meat. Furthermore, the grates are non-stick coated with porcelain, which makes them easy to clean.
Pros
- Massive cooking space
- Useful broiler for searing
- Quick cleanup
- Ideal temperature
Cons
- No sliding shelf
Final Verdict:
The large steel constructed wheels on the grill legs are quite sturdy, which allows for easy mobility on all surfaces, and these won’t get damaged. The PIT BOSS 700FB Pellet Grill is a high-quality grill that provides an amazing broiler feature, among other things. Moreover, it has a larger cooking space, so it is best suited for 5 or 6 people.
2. Green Mountain Davy Pellet Grill Smoker
The Green Mountain Davy Crockett is a portable heavy-duty pellet grill designed to be lightweight so you can carry it on trips. It is entirely made of quality steel with fewer plastic components and has a long-lasting, sturdy build. The legs can be easily folded for putting the grill in a car trunk. If you can afford something over 500$, take a look at the best pellet smoker.
- Wifi support
- Ease of use
- Amazing portability
- High-temperature range
Most of the unit comes pre-assembled, and you have to assemble only a few parts. This makes the assembly process quick, and you can start using the grill right away. It comes with wifi support, which is the highlight of this unit, as you can control the grill remotely. Meanwhile, you could do other things.
The total cooking area offered by this smoker grill is 219 square inches, and it can accommodate several burgers. It weighs around 57 pounds, which is quite lighter than other large smokers. So you can definitely expect amazing ease of use from this smoker grill.
The pellet smoker offers excellent temperature control, and the pellets are fed automatically to the auger. The temperature range of this grill unit is 150 to 550 Fahrenheit, which is quite impressive in a compact-sized pellet grill. The company offers a 2-year warranty on the smoker grill, so you get it fixed if it does not work properly.
Pros
- Wifi support
- Ease of use
- Amazing portability
- High-temperature range
- Affordable
Cons
- Not for large parties
Final Verdict:
The 9 pounds hopper can hold a good amount of wood pellets, making it ideal for small family dinners. If you are going to host large BBQ parties, then you will need a bigger pellet smoker. There is so much to like about the Green Mountain Davy Pellet Smoker, whether portability, ease of use, or accurate temperature control. Therefore, you should consider buying it.
3. Ozark Grills – The Razorback Wood Pellet Grill
The Razorback Wood Pellet Grill has an impressive build composed of the top quality steel and cast iron to make it durable. It is a heavy grill weighing almost 80 pounds, which can tell you about its long-lasting components. But it has big wheels on the legs, which allows for easy transportation.
- Decently large cooking area
- Outstanding build quality
- Easy to clean
- Simple control panel
The cast-iron grates of the smoker are coated with porcelain making them easy to clean. Furthermore, it does not let the grease from the meat stick to the grates. It provides a total cooking area of 305 square inches, perfect for cooking a dozen burgers for a family lunch.
The temperature range offered by this smoker is 165 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit so you can cook meat slowly at a high temperature. There is a small control panel located on the hopper that consists of a knob. You can set the temperature by rotating the knob, and the small LCD shows the temperature.
By using a pellet smoker, you don’t need to deal with heavy gas cylinders and refueling, which makes grilling quite fun. The bronze and black paint job on the grill looks stunning. The high-quality paint finish won’t peel off after several uses. This is one of the best pellet smokers under $500 in 2022 because of its superb build and ease of use.
Pros
- Decently large cooking area
- Outstanding build quality
- Easy to clean
- Simple control panel
Cons
- Limited space for large families
Final Verdict:
You can do all sorts of cooking, baking, roasting, and grilling on this pellet smoker, making it versatile. There is a drip tray under the grates that collects the grease, and it can be cleaned by wiping it with a paper towel. The Razorback Wood Pellet Grill has an exceptional build quality and large cooking space, making it worth buying. Furthermore, you can also read best vertical pellet smoker reviews on our blog as well.
4. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX is an impressive smoker that is best suited for large families as it has a large cooking space. The assembly process is quick as all the tools needed to assemble the grill comes in the package. You have to carefully follow the instructions to combine the different parts.
- Simple to install
- Easy cleanup
- Massive cooking space
- Amazing features
The total grilling area offered by the SmokePro DLX is 573 square inches, which is ideal for smoking large briskets and ribs. You can cook food for several people and serve delicious food. The hopper on this smoker grill can hold 18 pounds of wood pellets, so you don’t have to refill it so quickly.
It also provides a temperature probe that can be installed inside the grill to check the meat’s temperature. In this way, you can be sure about the temperature of the meat and whether it is perfectly cooked or not.
Unlike the small pellet smokers, this unit also has a warming rack that keeps your food warm. It is quite simple to operate; the temperature dial, temperature display, and the on/off button are located at the front. You can quickly get it working within minutes, and that is the beauty of pellet smokers.
Pros
- Simple to install
- Easy cleanup
- Massive cooking space
- Amazing features
Cons
- Small grease pan
Final Verdict:
The best thing about this smoker is that it is extremely easy to clean and does not create a mess. There is a small bucket below the firebox; all the ash gathers in this bucket, which can be easily emptied. The same can be done with the hopper for removing unused pellets. The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX pellet grill offers a massive cooking area and has amazing features for easy cleanup.
5. Cuisinart CPG-4000 Wood Grill & Smoker Pellet Grill
The Cuisinart CPG-4000 is another outstanding wood pellet smoker that has quality construction and provides amazing performance. This grill has wide dimensions so that it can accommodate a lot of food. The assembly of this grill takes about an hour, which is pretty quick.
- Durable build
- Useful folding shelf
- Large hopper capacity
- Greater cooking capacity
The build quality of this smoker grill is pretty impressive, which is quite obvious when you first look at it. There is a folding shelf at the front of the grill chamber, which gives you extra space for preparing the food. Despite being heavy, you can easily move it with the help of the wheels.
The total cooking area offered by the CPG-4000 is 450 square inches, which makes it a medium-sized smoker grill. It can cook full-sized briskets on this grill and serve many people. There is also a small warming rack available above the grates for smoking veggies.
The hopper capacity is 15 pounds, which offers hours of cooking time before the next refill. The electric ignition system of the smoker makes it easy to use. All you have to do is press the on button, set the temperature by rotating the digital temperature dial, and then wait for it to do its magic.
Pros
- Durable build
- Useful folding shelf
- Large hopper capacity
- Greater cooking capacity
Cons
- Short 1-year warranty
Final Verdict:
A bucket holder is located on the right side of the grill for holding the grease bucket, which is quite useful. The good thing about this pellet smoker is that it comes with a cover that keeps the grill safe from bad weather conditions. And this is quite useful for increasing its lifespan. The Cuisinart CPG-4000 pellet smoker is versatile as it lets you cook so many recipes and offers a highly satisfying performance.
6. Masterbuilt SH19260319 WG600B Pellet Grill
The Masterbuilt SH19260319 WG600B is an affordable smoker grill with a large cooking space and is built to last. It has medium dimensions, which means it is easy to transport with the help of the wheels. The temperature dial on this unit is easy to operate for quickly setting the temperature.
- Large cooking space
- Affordable
- Easy to operate
- Wider dimensions
The cooking space is quite wide and offers a total area of 605 square inches, which is amazing for cooking more food. The warming rack above the grates occupies the extra space for warming food. This unit has porcelain-coated grates, which are a must in a smoker grill as they can last longer and provides easy cleanup.
The large hopper can hold 16.5 pounds of wood pellets, which offers hours of cooking time before you have to refill the hopper. This smoker grill has a solid construction made of quality components so it can last for a long time. It has a grease bucket hanging below the grill chamber for collecting the drippings.
You can grill, smoke, and roast meat in this smoker and cook your favorite recipes for your friends and family. It takes slightly more time to cook than gas grills, but it adds more flavor to food. This grill is pretty easy to assemble even if you have never assembled a grill before, as the instructions in the manual are simple and straightforward.
Pros
- Large cooking space
- Affordable
- Easy to operate
- Wider dimensions
Cons
- Inconsistent temperature control
Final Verdict:
The highest temperature this pellet smoker can achieve is 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for cooking meat quickly. The Masterbuilt SH19260319 WG600B pellet smoker has great value for the small price tag it carries, which makes it worth considering.
7. BIG HORN Pellet Grill and Smoker
The BIG HORN Pellet Grill and Smoker has an impressive build, large cooking space, and amazing affordability. It has almost all the features you can find on big expensive smoker grills making it one of the best pellet smokers under $500 in 2021. This grill looks great, and it is constructed from hard, durable steel, making it last longer.
- Useful feature
- Large cooking area
- Sliding shelf
- Amazing temperature control
The main cooking area is 430 squares inches, and the warming rack provides 270 square inches. So, you get a total of 700 square inches of cooking space, which is absolutely amazing for an affordable smoker grill. As a result, you can invite several people over and cook all kinds of delicious food for your friends and family.
The solid wheels on the grill cart allow for easy portability. The grill takes time to set up, especially if you have never set up a grill before. But you can still get it done in time by following the clear and precise instructions in the guide.
There is also a steel mesh shelf attached at the front that has a siding mechanism. You can use it to prep the food you are cooking. Moreover, you get three hooks on the side handle of the grill. These hooks are pretty handy for hanging your cooking tools.
Pros
- Useful feature
- Large cooking area
- Sliding shelf
- Amazing temperature control
Cons
- Short warranty life
Final Verdict:
It offers a digital temperature reader and a dial for setting the temperature of the grill. You can easily select the temperature from a range of 225 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking different dishes. There is also a thermometer located on the lid to show the temperature of the grill. The BIG HORN Pellet Grill and Smoker is affordable, offers a lot of cooking space, and has a durable build worth considering.
Things To Look For in a Pellet Smoker
Pellet smokers have become quite popular these days as they are easier to use and does not require you to deal with gas cylinders. They are also less expensive and provide amazing portability due to fewer parts. So, if you want a compact and simple grill that offers easy use, then go for a pellet smoker.
When deciding to buy a pellet smoker, certain factors can determine which grill you should buy, such as the build quality, cooking space, hopper capacity, etc. Therefore, it is essential to figure out whether you need a compact grill or one that can cook food for several people. We have explained these factors in detail to help you make the right choice.
Cooking Area
It is one of the most important factors when buying a pellet grill. Companies manufacture a wide variety of pellet smokers in all sizes. In this way, you can have many options to choose from. Most compact grills have a total area of 300 square inches or less, which is ideal for two people as it can cook quick several burgers.
But if you have a large family, then go for wider grilling chambers. The large pellet smokers also have an additional warming rack for warming food and veggies. But you won’t find that in a small pellet grill.
Build Quality and Portability
For a pellet smoker to last longer, it needs to be constructed of quality materials that won’t rust over time when paint coatings have peeled off. These are usually made of cast iron and steel. Ensure that all the parts used are of the top quality materials, so you don’t have to look for a new grill just after a few uses.
Another important thing to keep in mind is the mobility or portability of the grill cart. A grill cart is quite heavy, so you would have to move it with the help of a handle and the wheels. It is necessary to ensure that the wheels are strong and made of sturdy materials that allow for smooth mobility on all surfaces.
Hopper Capacity
Hopper is a container located on the side of the smoker grill that contains the wood pellets. The pellets are fed to the firebox with the help of an auger. These burn to create smoke for cooking the food. Hopper capacity determines the total cooking time offered by a pellet smoker.
Small smokers usually have a hopper capacity of 9 pounds that can give a cooking time of 8 or 9 hours. It is ideal for a budget-friendly pellet smoker. Large pellet smokers provide a hopper capacity of 18 or 40 pounds, but they can cost more. Therefore, you should select a pellet smoker based on your need and how often you use it.
Temperature Control
Most pellet smokers have a digital temperature reader and dial for quickly setting the desired temperature. Having a thermometer on the lid is quite important as it shows the temperature of the cooking chamber, so you are absolutely sure about the temperature of the meat. Some pellet smokers lack a thermometer on the dial, which makes it hard to know if the meat is cooking perfectly.
Temperature Range
A temperature range tells you how many different types of meat you can cook on the grill. Quality pellet smokers provide a range of 180 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, letting you try a variety of recipes. You can cook brisket, fish, turkey, burgers, and much more, provided that the pellet smoker has a large temperature range.
Warranty
Warranty holds a great value when it comes to buying pellet smokers. Well-known pellet smoker manufacturers offer a long warranty for its parts. And it is always better to buy a grill that offers at least a 2 or 3-year warranty as it secures your investment. So if you have decided to go for a different brand and you encounter some issues with the grill, you can rely on the warranty and get it fixed.
Final Thoughts
With the growing variety of pellet grills, you have so many options to choose from, which makes it a bit difficult. All pellet smokers provide the same kind of basic features, making them affordable. But if you want more extra features and a large cooking capacity, then it will cost more. Therefore, it is ideal to figure out your needs and budget so you can buy an efficient pellet smoker. Out top picks amongst the best pellet smokers under 500 USD in 2022 are given below.
- PIT BOSS 700FB pellet smoker is well constructed, offers an amazing warranty and large cooking space.
- Green Mountain Davy Pellet Grill Smoker is popular for its compact size and easy portability.
- The Razorback Wood Pellet Grill is another quality grill that offers a durable build and superb temperature control.
All the pellet smokers reviewed above are highly affordable and offer amazing features. Furthermore, they are backed by well-reputed brands, so you should definitely check them out.
